Best 6.5 Car Speakers: The Complete Buyer’s Guide

“If you are planning to purchase a car speaker, here are some of the best 6.5 car speakers that can come with many makes and models of cars”

As 6.5 is a common size for many car speakers, I have been asked by many people which 6.5 car speakers they should purchase. I don’ have an answer for that because each speaker will be compatible with certain cars and owners’ musical taste. Price is another problem. Some like a cheap speaker with decent sounds; others don’t mind paying more to get the best quality. Some have experience and expertise in installing car speakers while others don’t. This is why I compiled this list of best 6.5 car speakers. You can find both component and full range speakers there:

My Handpicked List of the Best 6.5 Car Speakers

Best 6.5 Component Speakers

1. Hertz HSK 165XL

Hertz HSK 165XL

Key features:

  • Good bass output
  • V-cone design
  • Butyl rubber surround
  • Midrange/woofer has an aluminum basket
  • Copper clad aluminum voice coil

I have many fond memories with Hertz and always come away with the good impression. What I’m most impressed with the Hertz HSK 165XL is its excellent midrange definition. The sounds are generally warm and have a natural timbre. The bass output is smooth, strong, and clear.

Unlike some other systems, you don’t have to adjust the tone when switching to between musical genres or changing the volume. I tested this feature by increasing the volume so high that it’s impossible to speak over, the Hertz HSK 165XL didn’t give up or complain at all.

The cone is of an unusual shape, which is called the V-cone, according to Hertz. The cone is joined to the basket by a Nomex spider, a butyl rubber surround is on top of the cone. The design is completed by a V-shaped dust cap. Made of pressed damp fibers, its shape is believed to enhance off-axis dispersion and support high-frequency detail. The wire terminals are solidly mounted so the chances of terminal breakage are minimized

The mid-range/woofer driver utilizes an aluminum basket that features 3 strongly made spokes and an aerodynamic shape to keep rear wave interference to a minimum. Heat dissipation is greatly improved by a vented bottom plate as well as a radial venting system. The sizable magnet structure and the copper clad aluminum voice coil combines to great effect increasing the gauss strength that the voice coil moves through. This, in turn, increases the speaker’s ability to reproduce what it is fed more accurately.

My only criticism is the tweeters can be diffused and subdued when getting 30 to 45 degrees to the side. To fix this problem, I suggest placing the tweeters high and on-axis to fully enjoy its superior capabilities.

Pros:

  • Don’t have to adjust tones when switching music genres.
  • Good off-axis dispersion.
  • Minimal chances of terminal breakage.

Cons:

  • Tweeters can be diffused.

In short, the Hertz HSK 165XL is suitable for those with a champagne taste for speakers. Generally speaking, this set is an excellent system, with a rare smoothness and natural tonality that can hardly found in any other speakers.

2. Focal PS165FX – Best 6.5 car speakers for bass

FOCAL PS165FX

Key features:

  • Combine the benefits of both natural and synthetic materials
  • Air core inductors
  • Polystyrene capacitors
  • The crossover has two adjustments

The engineers at Focal have done a good job combining modern composites with natural materials into a sandwich technology to employ the advantages of both. The rigidity of the speakers is ensured by the thin fiberglass, the ultimate material for this purpose. Next, they utilize flax as the core of the sandwich. Flax is light, strong, well-damped, and most importantly cheap to keep cost down. The flax then goes through an automated stamping process to be shaped into a cone.

The electrical connections are attached to the cast aluminum basket and mounted solidly. The high-end look is further enhanced by the bottom plates and the chrome top of the motor assembly. The speaker is not only good at reproducing sounds but also contributes to the modern look of your vehicle.

Focal performance speakers are assured of a long life by an aluminum/magnesium alloy inverted dome and urethane suspension.

The crossover that accompanies the kit is of typical size but is capable of bi-amping the system and making use of the good quality components. Iron core inductors and electrolytic caps are nowhere to be found here to avoid magnetic interference. Instead, the Focal Performance Expert Series PS 165 FX employs air core inductors and polystyrene capacitors only.

You don’t have to worry about different locations will result in non-uniform sound quality. The speakers are embedded with two adjustments in the crossover. A switch to change 3 dB to the tweeter and another one to do the same action to the upper midrange. The surface of the housing is glazed with a soft material to give the speaker a high-end look.

I tested the Focal Performance Expert Series PS 165 FX myself and was impressed. What I used was acoustic piano and guitar, female vocals, and solo horns. The speaker passed every test with flying colors. These tracks are notorious for how quickly they are to expose speakers’ flaws. The fact that the Focal Performance Expert can deal with them without a single slip has won it an advocate follower, me.

I also tested its ability to handle high volume. Another great result, the sonic excellence remains intact no matter how I adjusted the volume.

The only drawback of the set I can find is the price. Some people might find the cost is way over their head but that sum of money is well matched by the quality of the speakers. In fact, you may have to pay twice as much for another set to achieve this level of greatness.

Pros:

  • Can handle high volume
  • Less chance of magnetic interference
  • Have a high-end look

Cons:

  • Have higher price than other products on this list.

The Focal Performance Expert Series PS 165 FX will be suitable for those who take quality seriously and are willing to pay to get it.


3. JL Audio's Evolution ZR650-CSi

JL Audio's Evolution ZR650-CSi

Key features:

  • Flat EQ response
  • Aluminum dome tweeter
  • Passive crossover networks
  • Have premium components

The JL Audio's Evolution ZR is a prime example of the first-class audio engineering in the world. The ZR is the holy grail of audiophiles, the equipment that they have at least heard of if not currently using. It is capable of striking dynamic frequencies with absolute precision.

Color or distortion to the music is kept at a minimum thanks to the flat EQ response. I have used the JL Audio's Evolution ZR in SQ installs and have the confidence to say that its quality is nearly on a par with the Focal Performance Expert Series PS 165 FX, a true phenomenon. 

This speaker and the Focal Performance Expert share the same ability to withstand high volume to deliver good results. It can also keep up with any subwoofer; you just need to pair it with a proper amp.

The aluminum dome tweeter can handle higher power levels and reach higher volumes. You may associate this material with fatigue and ringing artifacts in the sound and consider this a disadvantage. But you cannot be further from the truth. I have never experienced such nuisance when listening to the JL Audio's Evolution ZR. It has a unique design to minimize the unwanted effect of an aluminum dome tweeter.

The passive crossover networks are accompanied by high-end components, such as polypropylene capacitors, segmented air-core inductors, and the US made Mills resistors. You are assured of as many as twenty possible voicing combinations. This can be achieved by five adjustments of the tweeter and four levels of mid-range attenuation.

A truly great set for excellent sound quality, but some may find its highs are a bit too much. However, not everyone will encounter this problem. This is simply the matter of preference.

Pros:

  • Can handle high volume
  • Can keep up with any subwoofer
  • Have up to 20 voicing combinations
  • Have a reasonable price

Cons:

  • The highs can be too bright for some.

The JL Audio's Evolution ZR is a great bang for the buck and can reproduce accurate sounds.

4. Pioneer TS-A1686R A-Series

Pioneer TS-A1686R A-Series

Key features:

  • Oversized magnet and cone
  • The RMS rating is of 60 Watts, each speaker has a power of 30 Watts.
  • The peak power rating is 350 Watts

The Pioneer TS-A1686R A-Series features a cone of considerable size which has 14% more surface area to other typical 6.5 speakers. The large cone is beneficial in improving the quality of the bass. If you want to create high SPL low-frequency output, you have to be able to move massive quantities of air through and this is only viable with a sizeable cone area and maximum cone excursion. Since the Pioneer TS-A1686R can fulfill this requirement, it is able to reproduce great low-frequency band.

As bigger magnets translate into more powerful magnetic fields in the voice coil gap, the Pioneer TS-A1686R T-Series's oversized magnet, which makes the speaker more efficient and sensitive. It also has an impact on other aspects such as damping.

The bass is what makes this model stand out. Many users have experienced outstanding low bass notes (an uncommon feature in the 6.5 speakers). So bass lovers, this is the one you’re looking for.

Pros:

  • Great performance in the mid and high-frequency range
  • High-level reliability
  • Reasonable price
  • Great bass

Cons:

  • The sizable cone can be a problem for installation.

Overall, this speaker is a wise choice for people who take bass seriously and don’t have much money to splurge on car speakers.

5. Alpine SPS-610C

Alpine SPS-610C

Key features:

  • 1'' Wide-Range Silk Dome Tweeter
  • Shallow Mounting Design
  • Phase Integrated Dustcap
  • Copper Square Wire

With the Alpine SPS-610C Type-S, you have all the freedom to adjust its components and place them in positions you want. The woofers and tweeters, however, separated, are designed with quality in mind, so they are a great pairing as well as on their own. This enables you to “tailor-made” your set of speakers to suit your taste of music and preference.

The Alpine SPS-610C 6 is a 2-way speaker. It works with woofer and tweeter only. If you compare this set with others on the same price range, the Alpine can easily outperform others even the 3-way ones. You may think that with the job split into three and each part specializes in a particular task, you will have better sounds, but that cannot be further from the truth. The reason here is to keep cost down, some other brands will have to use 3 mediocre components, which cannot rival 2 components of excellent quality.

This set has all the benefits of Alpine Type-S series. It can be compatible with any stereo system and improve their sonic signals.

It makes use of 1” Wide-Range Silk Dome Tweeter. Silk-dome tweeters are believed to reproduce more pleasing to the ear sounds than any other materials. However, when the argument of whether fabric or metal tweeters are better, Alpine combines both of them into just one product so that you have the best of both worlds. The aluminum supports silk in increasing durability and covering a wider audio range.

When others struggle at high pitch sounds, the Alpine SPS-610C can reproduce them with ease with the help of the copper cap that comes with the pole piece. That part can lessen intermodulation distortion for clearer sounds.

The Alpine SPS-610C employs best materials to construct the woofer for the best results. The cone is made by mineral-fortified polypropylene to protect the component against internal damping; other parts are the blend of aluminum, potassium and other beneficial minerals for durability and stiffness.

The woofer’s main job is to deliver clear bass and mid-range frequencies so Alpine uses the combination of poly-mica, the rigid and sensitive material, to make it. This combination also results in a compact and delicate woofer. For easy mounting, the surround is made out of rubber.

The Alpine SPS-610C can prevent the irritating resonance thanks to the HD Polymer Frame, which can keep unwanted echoes and sound distortion at bay.

Pros:

  • Clear bass and mid-range frequencies
  • No irritating resonance
  • Good high pitch sounds

Cons:

  • Need a subwoofer to produce better bass

In short, the Alpine SPS-610C is worth every penny and suitable for both audiophiles and regular folks looking for good-quality sounds in their vehicles.

Best Coaxial (Full range) Car Speakers

1. Rockford Fosgate R165X3 Prime

Rockford Fosgate R165X3 Prime

Key features:

  • Rubber surround
  • Integrated tweeter crossover
  • Stamped steel basket
  • Silk dome pole mounted Piezo tweeter and midrange
  • Vacuum Polypropylene Cone

The Rockford Fosgate R165X3 is a prime example of speakers that both have reasonable price and a high-end look. It features a flat-backed and stylish design, a vacuum-formed woofer and silk dome tweeters. As a full range speaker, it doesn’t score high in my frequency accuracy tests as component ones, it’s still an affordable choice with decent quality.

Its high-frequency reproduction is good, an equivalent of B grade. Its performance in the mid-range is a little less impressive, about C+. The best performance can be found in the low-frequency category. The Rockford Fosgate R165X3 doesn’t have much of an edge in the amount of air it can move since its bass is much slimmer in comparison with that of other speakers. However, the speaker’s low frequencies are accurate in our tests. Its lowest audible frequency is of the only 100Hz, not much of a highlight here.

The slim design is one of its advantages since the speaker can fit into almost any type of installations but it also limits the speaker’s ability to reach higher volume. This fact is visible in the 90 dB sensitivity rating, quite below average.

Rockford Fosgate Prime is affordable and can be a decent upgrade to any factory-installed speakers. Their overall audio quality can hardly impress audiophiles but is good enough for everyday purposes.  The most significant downside is the not-so-high power handling, which means it cannot handle high volume.

Pros:

  • Decent high-frequency reproduction
  • Can fit in the most type of installations
  • Can handle low-end frequencies well

Cons:

  • Cannot handle high volume

2. Polk Audio DB651

Polk Audio DB651

Key features:

  • Car Speaker Function: Mid-Range Speaker, Tweeter
  • Tweeter Size: 0.75”
  • Woofer Material: Polymer Composite
  • Surround Material: Butyl Rubber

Polk Audio DB651 6.5-Inch can adapt to a wide range of car models. 6.5” diameter is big enough for typical Japanese models and adapter rings in most European models. It’s durable enough to be installed on a boat and withstand harsh waters.

This speaker gets on well with many original sound units. This will save you a ton of time and money to enhance your audio system. This advantage is coupled with excellent sound balance.

The Polk Audio DB651 requires less power than many other models to produce the same volume and sound quality. Since speakers are not a prime car part, they should not be a burden to the battery. Polk Audio, in this case, is a big benefit to the battery as it doesn’t put much of stress on it.

The DB651 is also durable. Its materials are hard yet extremely lightweight. The design of the speakers is taken care of to deliver an assertive look and stronger exterior parts. This design also allows this speaker to be installed on a boat and endure rough waters.

Polk Audio is noted for producing speakers that appear fierce and fresh. This is evident in the Polk Audio DB651. It’s perfectly round, giving a more professional look than the oblong ones. The dark and hard plastic cover is not only a good protection but also gives out a stylish vibe. This one might count as a plus for some but can be a downside for others. While the speakers look good on its own, those who would like to have a speaker that looks not too revealing will not like the Polk Audio. Whether this is an advantage or not depends solely on personal taste.

Many people assume that the Polk Audio DB651 can maintain a maximum of 180 RMS watts but its actual capacity is only 80 RMS watts. If you compare its bass with more expensive ones in relative classes, it’s not very impressive. But the speaker uses the power you feed it so well that even with a low RMS, it can still deliver pristine and clear sounds.

The Polk Audio DB651 cannot be fitted into holes that are smaller than 6.5”. It works well with 6.5” and above but not smaller ones, an obvious pity for those whose cars don’t have a 6.5” or above holes.

Pros:

  • Produce clear and pristine sounds 
  • Fit in well with bigger hole sizes 
  • Have a great look

Cons:

  • Bass is not as good as others in the same range.

Polk Audio DB651 is suitable for cars with 6.5” and above holes and people who like the flashy look. The sound quality is good comparing with other speakers in the same range.         

3. JBL GTO629 Premium 6.5-Inch Co-Axial Speaker

Polk Audio DB651

Key features:

  • Carbon-injected Plus One cones
  • Patented UniPivot tweeter
  • A dual-level tweeter volume adjustment
  • Low-impedance, three-ohm speakers
  • 12dB/octave, high-quality crossover components

The GTO629 is a two-way mid-tweet type coaxial speaker that features a 6” mid-range and 1” dome tweeter. It can withstand 180 watts of peak power or 60 watts continuous. The steel mounting adaptor rings are designed to allow the JBL GTO629 fits in any hole which is from 6” to 6.75” in size. Its minimum mounting depth is 2” so you don’t have to worry if it can fit into your car’s door because it is compatible with almost all cars’ doors. Surface mounting the speaker on the door is not a problem since the required mounting hardware is accompanied by a set of grilles. However, the speaker’s wires are not included and must be purchased separately.

The resonance problem is non-existent with the JBL GTO629 Premium since the mid-range drivers have a basket that is reinforced by high-tech carbon composite glass fiber. This basket also ensures the long life of the drivers.

Every mid-range driver is coupled with a 10.3-ounce ferrite magnet and a one-inch copper voice coil. The impedance of the speaker is 3 ohms, which results in an increased output and much greater power from the amp. A difference of 1 ohm might not sound significant enough to be counted as an advantage but in this situation, it can be a big benefit. Take a power of 8.5 volts as an example. That much power put through a 4 ohm can generate 18 watts but the same amount can result in 24 watts with the JBL GTO629 Premium. The coil is there to be a compensation for the resistance generated by small gauge wire used by OEM manufacturers. Folks using bigger gauge wire can be benefited from this one too.

The technical details of the JBL GTO629 Premium are also worth mentioning. The nitrile rubber surround and modified parabolic-shaped cone combine to great effect creating bigger output. Connecting is easy to thanks to the color-keyed and solidly-mounted spade terminals.

Power handling and reliability of the tweeter are also JBL GTO629 Premium’s highlights. It makes use of an edge dome and high-energy neodymium magnet, as well as ferrofluid cooling to achieve those desirable features.

The JBL's UniPivot system allows the tweeter to be rotated up to 360 degrees. This contributes enormously to the great aim and focus of tweeter’s output. The transition between drivers is exceptionally smooth thanks to the 6 dB crossover components. They benefit both the tweeter and mid-range drivers. Plus, the tweeter has a level padding resistor for careful tuning.

The only disadvantage I can find is the size. It can only be mounted into holes with the same size of a just little bigger, not a good piece of news for folks whose cars speaker holes are larger than 6.75”.

Pros:

  • Can fit in any car’s door
  • 3-ohm impedance for the increased output
  • High power handling and reliability

Cons:

  • Can only fit into 6.5” to 6.75” holes

In conclusion, this is a good pick for sound quality but the size can be a big problem sometimes.

4. Kicker 40CS654

Kicker 40CS654

Key features:

  • 600 Watts Peak Power
  • 200 Watts RMS Total Power
  • Reduced-depth baskets

Kicker 40CS654 6.5 inches Two-Way Coaxial Car Speakers will be a decent and cheap upgrade for your car. You may think that with its price, you cannot expect much from this speaker, but that’s not true. The Kicker 40CS654 is in no way inferior to its rivals. If other speakers in the same price range can give you crystal clear acoustics and a good level of lows, the Kicker can do all that and much more; a great bang for the buck in my opinion.

The Kicker 40CS654 packs some serious muscles for its compact size. Its peak power per speaker is 300 watts, with a wide range of frequency and great power handling. The look is another advantage of this speaker. Folks at Kicker obviously have gone out of their way to create a good look. They do not sacrifice the quality or the appearance for the price.

I have used and reviewed many products from Kicker before but the Kicker 40CS654 is always high on my list of great full range car speakers. However, don’t get me wrong here. I don’t say that this one can rival with more expensive ones or component speakers. It is great only when you consider how little you have to pay to get it. So frankly don’t expect to bump into the highest quality sound. The mid-range frequency and highs are above average but the lows? not so much.

Pros:

  • Decent mid-range and highs
  • Good power handling
  • Reasonable price

Cons:

  • The lows are not as good as others on the list.

So the Kicker 40CS654 will be a good choice for those who don’t have a deep pocket but still desire some serious quality.

5. Infinity Reference 6032cf

Kicker 40CS654

Key features:

  • 180 Watts peak power
  • 2 Ohm impedance
  • Plus One woofer cones
  • Edge-driven textile dome tweeters

The Infinity Reference has a relatively larger cone’s surface area, thanks to the plus one woofer cones with a patent-pending technology. The bass output and efficiency are greatly improved by this oversized cone. If you compare its woofers to those of the same models, the Infinity Reference 6032cf can outperform all of them.

The speaker’s 4 ohms are perfect for any car. Some cars can come with a wide range of electrical components and this kind of ohms is a wise choice. In this case, the impedance is compensated so that you can drive it into any power unit.

The Infinity Reference 6032cf’s textile dome tweeters are what I would like to point out here. These are what you can count on for quality sounds. When other car speakers come with w-domes, which translate into decent sound quality, good power handling but also a lot of distortion, the textile material can solve all of these problems. Audiophiles also claim that the tweeters give out more pleasant sounds with textile material and we’d better listen to the experts. 

Although the speaker is mounted off axis, the unipivot can help you to point the tweeter at the direction you want it to. This means wherever you aim the tweeters to, they will give you the uniform quality of sounds.

I have run through users’ reviews and the only drawback I can find is about the warranty. Good work Infinity!

Pros:

  • 4 ohms can be compatible with any car
  • Tweeters can be pointed in many directions
  • Oversized cones for better bass

Cons:

  • Warranty problems

Overall, this one is a good investment for any taste.


Things to consider to choose the best 6.5 car speakers

Among a plethora of car speakers available on the competitive market nowadays, choosing an item, indeed 6.5 car speakers, making us satisfied the most is not easy as a pie.  Even though we are totally able to opt for reading some reviews on the Internet with a wide range of options helping us choose the right one before coming to the final buying decision, the fact is much more challenging. However, a speaker with high-quality connectors should be on the top priority.

How to not make your head spin over the sea of reviews or even advertisements, a trustworthy review from experts will answer all of your questions about car speaker.

If you desire to own an amazing 6.5 speaker and are going in search of right information supporting you pick a quality product, read on. The lowdown below will help you know more about this kind of item.

What are the advantages of 6.5-Inch Car Speakers?

Even though every car already owned integral speakers, hordes of car owners still add 6.5 speaker into their cars due to a lot of far-reaching benefits of this stuff. There are three main advantages on the offer of a 6.5-inch car speaker.

Appealing designs

One in the list of some benefits 6.5 car speakers can bring to users is that they come with a much better appearance due to the fact that they are created by quality materials and an advanced design. Hence, it greatly contributes to a much smoother sound.

High-quality materials.

The fact is worse materials are used, the worse result we get and of course, it’s true when coming with car speaker. 6.5-inch car speakers are equipped with better materials, hence more durable and well-performed products. Even under any degree of temperature, moisture, etc. 6.5 car speakers still disappoint any user.

A highly regarded name of car speaker.

There is no doubt that 6.5 car speaker is definitely a reasonable choice when choosing a car speaker in term of sound quality.

  • Tips for purchasing a 6.5 car speaker
  • Try the 6.5 car speaker you are considering buying to your in-car audio system. If you are unable to do that, at least check the specs to make sure it is compatible with your car. Sometimes you cannot afford to buy something that is a total unmatched for your car.
  • Considering the sensibility is essential. This term means how much output the 6.5 speakers can produce from the power fed to it. If you have a high power system, choose the one with low sensibility. Otherwise, go for a set with high sensibility.
  • The speakers need to be powered properly. So if your car stereo is a low powered one, it will be compatible with the 6.5 speakers that cannot handle a lot of power. The other way around is still true.
  • If you want a wide range of sounds for your music, remember that woofer is for the low sounds and tweeter is for the highs. Their presence is essential to serve your purpose.
  • Some 6.5 car speakers can fit into an installation that is bigger than their size thanks to a special ring. If you have such installation, make sure you have the ring to support it.

Bottom line

Each speaker has its own features, advantages, and disadvantages to suit different tastes and likings. Some products on this list of best 6.5 car speakers seem to be superior over others, but as quality should be considered alongside with the price, you should not jump to any conclusion before seeing the price. As full range speakers have to sacrifice a little sound quality for convenience and good price, a comparison between component speakers and full range ones in terms of sound’s accuracy should also take this into consideration.

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